Crab Toilet Paper Roll Craft

Looking for something to do with all of those empty toilet paper rolls? How about making this Crab Toilet Paper Roll Craft. This craft goes along perfectly with the Summer Sea Series we shared earlier, so be sure to check those out too!

Crab Toilet Paper Roll Craft

My daughter is currently obsessed with crabs. Of course, her obsessions change often, but we’re enjoying this crab obsession while it lasts.

I absolutely love that she gets so obsessed with some of the funnest things, such as frogs and bugs and snakes.  It’s definitely obvious that she’s been raised around older brothers! Currently, we’ve been learning a LOT about crabs. Did you know there are over 4,500 different species of crabs?

From small crabs to giant ones, we’ve been discovering lots of interesting facts about all of them. Currently, her favorite is the Chesapeake Blue Crab. This species of crab is known for its beautiful blue color and can be found along the East Coast of the United States. The Chesapeake Bay is home to the largest population of these crabs, and they play a significant role in the local economy and cuisine. People from all over come to the area to try dishes such as crab cakes and crab soup.

One of the most interesting things we’ve learned about the Chesapeake Blue Crab is their life cycle. They begin their lives as tiny larvae that float in the ocean until they grow large enough to swim to the shore. Once they reach the shore, they become juvenile crabs and live in the brackish waters of the Chesapeake Bay. These crabs will molt multiple times, shedding their shells and growing new ones until they reach maturity.

Another fascinating fact about crabs is their ability to regenerate limbs. If a crab loses a limb, it can grow it back over time. This ability is essential for their survival, as they often lose limbs in battles with predators or other crabs.

In addition to the Chesapeake Blue Crab, we’ve also learned about other fascinating species of crabs, such as the Coconut Crab, which is the largest land-dwelling crab in the world. These crabs can grow to be over three feet long and are known for their incredible strength. They have been known to climb trees and crack coconuts with their powerful claws.

We’ve also learned about the Horseshoe Crab, which is not actually a true crab but is more closely related to spiders and scorpions. These ancient creatures have been around for over 450 million years and are considered a living fossil. They are essential to the ecosystem as they provide food for birds and other animals and are also used in medical research.

One of the things that make crabs such fascinating creatures is their incredible diversity. From tiny crabs that can fit on the tip of your finger to giant crabs that can weigh over 40 pounds, there is a wide range of species to explore. Some crabs are brightly colored, while others are camouflaged to blend into their surroundings. Some are predators, while others are scavengers.

Overall, I’m so grateful that my daughter has developed a love for learning about these amazing creatures. It’s incredible to watch her excitement as she discovers new facts and information about crabs and other animals. It’s also inspiring to see her curiosity and desire to learn about the world around her. I can’t wait to see what she’ll get obsessed with next!

Chesapeake blue crab or the Atlantic blue crab – https://www.nwf.org/

 Make Your Own Crab Character

So of course, while learning all about crabs we had to throw in a couple of crab crafts, as well!

To recreate this crab for yourself,  gather up a few simple supplies:

Clean toilet paper roll or cardboard tube

Glue

Scissors

1 black chenille stem

Printable Crab templates (found at the end of this post)

Red paper

White paper

Black paper

Pencil

Clear tape

After printing out the template, carefully cut out each piece. Using red paper, trace and cut out the long rectangle piece, the two claws, and the set of larger circles.

Trace and cut the medium circles out of white paper and the small circles out of black paper.

After gathering up all of your supplies, carefully cut the toilet paper tube in half, through the middle, as shown below.

Take the red rectangle and glue it around the outside of your toilet paper roll.  Then cut the chenille stem in half then bend one half in the middle, as shown.

Glue the eyes together by stacking the circles, starting with the red one on the bottom, then the white, followed by the black circle. Repeat with the second set of circles.

Attach one eye to each end of the chenille stem using glue or tape.

Then attach the chenille stem to the crab, inside the tube, using clear tape.

Then attach the claws to the side of the tube by bending each end slightly and attaching them with glue.

Finally, allow your crab craft to dry!

After he’s had some time to dry, he’s ready to be put on display or to play with.  Ready to get started? Click the button below for the free printable template!